Health Alert: Gambling Addiction Searches Soar with Legal Sports Betting. In the wake of a 2018 Supreme Court decision in the United States, several states have passed legislation to legalize online sports betting. Since then, online searches for help with gambling addiction have risen significantly in these states, anywhere from 30% to 67%. JAMA Internal Medicine, February 2025 Diet: Dietary Fiber Intake Before Age Two Linked to Celiac Risk. Researchers from Sweden’s Lund University report that a higher intake of dietary fiber—roughly 3 grams a day—during the second year of life increases the risk for celiac disease in the future by up to 40%. The authors posit that early dietary fiber exposure supports a healthy gut microbiome, strengthens the intestinal barrier, and regulates immune responses, reducing inflammation and the risk of an overactive immune reaction to gluten that can lead to celiac disease. Gastroenterology, February 2025 Exercise: Whole Body Vibration May Have Role in Sarcopenia Rehabilitation. A recent study involving 27 elderly sarcopenia patients found that whole-body vibration training—a form of exercise where individuals stand, sit, or perform movements on a vibrating platform to stimulate muscle contractions, improve circulation, and enhance strength, balance, and flexibility—may be as effective as resistance training for improving physical function. The findings suggest that whole body vibration may serve as a viable exercise alternative for older adults who have experienced a substantial loss of skeletal muscle mass. Scientific Reports, February 2025 Chiropractic: Cost-Effective for Spine Pain. A meta-review of eleven systematic reviews found that manual therapies—including chiropractic treatments like spinal manipulative therapy—are likely more cost-effective for the management of spine pain than usual medical care. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, March 2025 Mental Attitude: Cognitive Impairment May Double Risk for Worse Post-Operative Brain Health. Among a group of more than 700 older adults who underwent surgery, researchers found that those with any degree of cognitive decline before the procedure were two-times more likely to develop significant postoperative cognitive impairment, which may also increase their risk of progressing to dementia. JAR Life, February 2025 Wellness/Prevention: Excess Weight and Device Use Linked to Poor Sleep in College Students. Questionnaires completed by more than 17,000 university students revealed that higher body mass index and problematic smartphone usage are each independently linked to an elevated risk for poor sleep. Frontiers in Public Health, February 2025 Quote: “If you make friends with yourself, you will never be alone.” ~ Maxwell Maltz

I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.

Health Alert: Nearly Half of Rural Patients Must Drive an Hour for Surgery. According to a recent study, 44% of rural patients must drive longer than one hour to reach a surgical center, up from 37% just a decade ago. Longer travel times increase the risk for delaying procedures, which may lead to worsening health and increased mortality risks. Annals of Surgery, February 2025 Diet: Could Yogurt Lower the Risk for Aggressive Colon Cancer? A new study suggests that regular yogurt consumption may help reduce the risk of developing certain aggressive colon cancers. Researchers found that people who ate at least two servings of yogurt per week had a 20% lower risk of developing tumors on the right side of the colon, a location associated with more lethal cancers. Gut Microbes, February 2025 Exercise: Childhood Activity May Influence Later Mental Health Risks. A recent study identified an association between higher levels of physical activity during childhood and both a greater resilience to stress and a lower risk for mental health challenges during adolescence. On the other hand, a sedentary lifestyle early in life may set the stage for poor mental health later on. JAMA Network Open, February 2025 Chiropractic: History of Low Back Pain Can Affect a Batter’s Swing. Examinations of 25 collegiate baseball players revealed that those with a history of low back pain exhibited altered pelvic and trunk movement patterns during their swing, reducing their ability to transfer rotational energy from the lower body to the upper extremities. This may not only negatively affect performance, but it may also increase their risk of future musculoskeletal pain. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, March 2025 Mental Attitude: Bilingualism May Benefit Children with Autism. In a recent study, researchers observed that children with autism spectrum disorder who speak more than one language exhibit stronger executive functioning skills, such as impulse control and perspective-taking, than their monolingual autistic peers. The research team suspect bilingualism may promote cognitive flexibility and interventions to promote learning a second language may help children with the neurodevelopmental disorder better integrate into the world at large. Autism Research, November 2024 Wellness/Prevention: Gradual Exposure May Help Overcome Peanut Allergies. New research suggests that up to 70% of children with high-threshold peanut allergies—those who can tolerate at least half a peanut—may develop lasting tolerance through gradually increased doses of peanut butter consumed over an 18-month time frame under medical supervision, starting with an eighth of a teaspoon a day. NEJM Evidence, February 2025 Quote: “You cannot have a positive life and a negative mind.” ~ Joyce Meyer

I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.

Health Alert: Most People with Mental Health Issues Don’t Know It. New research suggests that only 6.9% of individuals with mental health or substance-use disorders worldwide receive effective treatment. Interestingly, nearly half of those who remain untreated are unaware they suffer from a condition that can be addressed by a healthcare provider. Of those who understand they need care, only a third seek it out and most of these individuals receive what would be considered minimal adequate treatment. The findings highlight a global need for interventions both to improve mental health awareness and to provide access to quality care. JAMA Psychiatry, February 2025 Diet: Familiar Flavors and Food Texture May Help Older Adults Eat Better. Seniors in assisted living facilities who do not prepare their own meals may be at risk of malnutrition if they do not eat the food provided. A recent study found that incorporating familiar flavors and diverse textures into meals may increase the likelihood that elderly adults finish their meals. Journal of Food Science, January 2025 Exercise: Customized Fitness Program Helps Children with Autism Stay Active. In a recent experiment, researchers observed that children with autism spectrum disorder who are allowed to choose physical activities that interest them—such as riding a bike or playing tennis—are more likely to remain engaged, which can help to improve their physical strength, coordination, and self-confidence. Murdoch University, February 2025 Chiropractic: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome May Affect Nerve Function Preceding the Wrist. Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is long associated with symptoms in the hands and fingers due to compression of the median nerve as it passes through the wrist. In a recent study that included 120 adults, 80 with diagnosed CTS, researchers observed 27.45% of CTS patients also experience impaired nerve function extending from the wrist toward the elbow, which may be a sign of a more severe case that may require a more comprehensive treatment approach. Annals of Neurosciences, January 2025 Mental Attitude: Playful Approach to Life Pays Off. Surveys completed by 503 adults revealed that those who adopt a playful attitude toward life are better able to cope with stress and are more likely to take a creative approach to solving problems and addressing challenges. Frontiers in Psychology, February 2025 Wellness/Prevention: Daily Check-Ins May Improve Quality of Life in Cancer Patients. A recent study found that oncology patients who checked in daily with their care teams to report symptoms such as pain or mobility issues were less likely to visit the emergency room and maintained a higher level of well-being during treatment. Nature Medicine, February 2025 Quote: “I never worry about the problem. I worry about the solution.” ~ Shaquille O’Neal

I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.

Health Alert: Poor Metabolic Health and Drinking Are a Bad Combo for Liver Health. While heavy alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk for liver disease, a new study found that if an individual also has poor metabolic health—central obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, etc.—then their risk for liver scarring or damage more than doubles. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, February 2025 Diet: Zinc May Reduce Heart Disease Risk in Diabetics. Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, researchers report that a higher intake of dietary zinc—a mineral known for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and blood glucose regulating properties—is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease-related death among type 2 diabetics. Thrombosis Journal, March 2025 Exercise: 2,000 Steps a Day May Be Key for Stroke Rehab. New research suggests that incorporating walking at increased distances toward a goal of 2,000 steps a day can significantly improve outcomes for patients recovering from stroke, particularly with respect to mobility, gait speed, balance, and quality of life. American Stroke Association, February 2025 Chiropractic: Try Chiropractic Care for Tension-Type Headache First. Tension-type headache is a common form of headache characterized by a dull, aching pain and tightness or pressure around the forehead or back of the head and neck. A recent study that compared outcomes of 6,232 tension-type headache patients revealed that those initially treated with spinal manipulative therapy—the primary form of treatment provided by chiropractors—were half as likely to eventually be prescribed butalbital, a medication prescribed when firstline treatments fail. Health Science Reports, December 2024 Mental Attitude: Depression Can Hasten Chronic Illness Onset. An analysis of data concerning more than 172,500 adults revealed that those with a history of depression developed chronic conditions like heart disease and type 2 diabetes up to 30% earlier than their peers without a history of mood disorders. PLOS Medicine, February 2025 Wellness/Prevention: Frailty Is Not Inevitable. Frailty is a condition characterized by weakness, slowed movement, physical inactivity, self-reported exhaustion, and unintentional weight loss, all of which are associated with increased health risks. While gradual declines in physical and mental function are part of the aging process, frailty is not. To reduce the risk of becoming frail, older adults are encouraged to get regular exercise, reduce sedentary time, eat a healthy diet, stay socially engaged, and manage chronic health problems as instructed by their healthcare provider. The Conversation, February 2025 Quote: “Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.” ~ Albert Einstein

I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.